it-happens-ancestor-ritual

It happens: Ancestor Ritual

Gaya, Sept 28(ANI): Devout Hindus have begun to gather at temples and on river banks in India to observe 'Pitru Paksha' the annual fortnight-long ritual of paying homage known as 'Pind Daan' (offering food) to souls of departed ancestors and pray for their salvation. Scores of families from far and near arrived at the pilgrim centre of Gaya in eastern state of Bihar on Tuesday to offer this ritual `Pind Daan'. Guided by priests they performed the religious rituals on the banks of River Ganga and other temples located in the city. 'Pitru Paksha' as per the Hindu lunar almanac known as Panchanga usually falls in the month of September or October. Certain devotees even get their heads tonsured on the occasion as mark of their respect for the departed souls. The food is usually cooked in silver or copper vessels and placed on banana leaves. Devotees believe that once the ritual is performed, the souls of their ancestors shall be relieved of all the painful sins and they would be freed from the cycle of rebirths. The offerings are also believed to cure diseases as well as infertility among childless couples apart from driving away evil souls. According to Hindu faith, it is believed that when humans die, their mortal body turns to dust whereas the soul remains, until it does not find Sep 28, 2013
21-killed-in-bus-accident-in-himachal-pradesh

21 killed in bus accident in Himachal Pradesh

Sirmaur, Sept 27 (ANI): A private mini-bus skidded off the road and rolled down more than a 500-foot deep gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur district on Friday killing 21 people travelling in it. According to police all bodies have been recovered, most of them badly mutilated, from the wreckage of the bus. The bus was on its way from Ucha Tikkar to Renuka-ji, a place famous for a Hindu shrine. Sep 27, 2013
it-happens-viswakarama-puja

It happens: Viswakarama Puja

Ranchi/Jalpaiguri, Sept 20,(ANI): Indians in eastern provinces of the country celebrated Hindu festival associated with worshipping of the god of engineering and architecture, Lord Viswakarama. Artisans, craftsmen, mechanics, welders, industrial or factory workers offered prayers to Vishwakarma to ensure smooth functioning of machine parts and their tools. In eastern Ranchi city of Jharkhand state, workers in an automobile factory refrained from using their machines and worshipped them along with photographs of Lord Viswakarma. Workers at a powerhouse station also kept aside their tools today and performed the Hindu rituals to appease their God of engineering. Meanwhile, it was a Thanks giving Day for elephants at the eastern Indian wildlife sanctuary. Captive elephants, used by the forest officials to supervise the area, enjoyed a royal treat at the Jaldapara Sanctuary in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal state. On the occasion of Vishwakarma puja, the jumbos got the much-awaited annual holiday. The day started with a special bathing session for these jumbos, who were then decorated by the mahouts with coloured cloths and by drawing floral designs on their heads. Lord Viswakarma is the presiding deity of all craftsmen and is regarded as the principle architect of the universe i Sep 20, 2013